Tips from MozCon: Getting Started with Video

Robyn Norgan

Jul 25, 2013

You don't have to be a film expert to get started with making videos. With new products like Vine and Instagram video, anyone can make videos with their cell phones. These products can be a great place to start, but if you really want to start making some quality videos, here are a few easy tips to get started that won't break the bank.

1. Lapel Microphone: Using a lapel microphone on the star of your video can greatly enhance the sound quality. These microphones aren't that expensive. I found some starting at just $30.

2. Lights: If you've ever done a photo shoot you've probably seen those "umbrella" lights. Adding a little lighting to your video shoot can make a big difference. Prices can vary, but you can always start small and add lighting as needed and a simple reflector can go a long way.

3. Tripod: A tripod will help steady your camera, making your videos less shaky. If you're going to be doing shots with more movement, you can also get a tripod with wheels, so you can follow your subject while keeping the camera steady.

Once you've got your video equipment ready, you'll want to figure out your video goals. Do you want to get more traffic and conversions? If so, you should consider hosting videos on your own website. Putting videos on YouTube will cause YouTube to rank over your website and you will lose traffic. Don't write YouTube off though, it can be a great place for videos that promote your brand, such as creative stories and informational content (i.e. content that's not selling a product). Make sure you do some keyword research to optimize your videos for YouTube and measure your success by engagement, not views.

For videos that you host on your website, make sure they provide value for your users. Place them on a page that makes sense for the video content and if you can, include a transcription of the video - it's great for SEO and provides an easy way for customers to refer back to information in the video. Finally, it's a good idea to add rich snippets to your video. Adding video rich snippets will make an icon of your video show up in search results, which will help your website stand out against other results.

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